September 7

A mellow day. The forecasted morning showers were very early morning showers. Mochas for breakfast (I broke my French Press a few days back), spend the morning getting the blog updated and dealing with other on-line stuff. We top off the water tank, I hose down the main anchor rode. Lots of dirt, we'll probably want to take it home after the trip and run it through the clothes washer. When we do get under way, a bunch of power boats were coming in. We hover (interesting in a sailboat the twists easily with the wind), then take off. The tide is out and rising, favorable for going up river, we take the "short cut" east through Cathlamet Channel. It's got shallow spots, our old sailing friend Ralph has provided detailed instructions for getting through, we have no problem. Back in the main river we are able to unfurl the headsail with wind from the west, this lasts for about half an hour when the wind suddenly shifts to from the northeast and becomes variable, like on, off, on, off. We work with this for a bit, then there is a freighter approaching from behind, so we fire up the motor, furl in the headsail, and motor the rest of the way to Walker Island. Set hook, salads for dinner, dishes, conversation, blog, sleep.